Town board approves new speed limit at Ingersol Road, Route 50 intersection
Officials also appoint new town emergency coordinator and discuss need for a third sweeper truck
WILTON, N.Y. >> Supervisor Arthur Johnson opened last Thursday’s Wilton Town Board meeting with congratulations to board members for their service to the town over the past year, saying “Another year with no taxes, and new services.”
Incorporated in the Dec. 6 agenda were votes to approve several remaining year-end resolutions, including the appointment of Steven Gordon as Town Emergency Coordinator, and an animated discussion on the need for the possible addition of a third “sweeper” truck to enable the Wilton Highway Department to more efficiently pump stormwater drains deeper than eight feet.
A request for a speed reduction at the intersection of Ingersol Road and Route 50 was also approved. Increased traffic and frequency of accidents prompted the speed reduction request that now passes to Saratoga County Commissioner of Public Works Keith Manz to examine and then to NYS Department of Transportation, who will conduct a definitive report on the request. At present, the speed limit is 45 mph.
Deputy Supervisor John Lant said he has had the privilege of working with Gordon, who currently serves as Director of Emergency Communications at the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and “is confident he will do a great job.” Councilman Bogardus said he too has had the priv-
ilege of working with Gordon, who was highly recommended by Saratoga County Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo.
Town Highway Supervisor Kirklin Woodcock approached the board with an update on the cost of a third sweeper truck, he would like to see added to the Highway Department’s fleet. Woodcock has monitored the activity on such a vehicle on a website called Auctions International, Inc. that specializes in selling government surplus, commercial and industrial assets.
“We need three sweepers, and have been doing the job with two,” Woodcock said, noting that his staff is responsible for maintaining about 220 miles of centerline roads in the town.
Those responsibilities include snow removal and ice control, paving and the maintenance of roads, signage, roadway markings, drainage, tree and brush cutting and removal within the town’s right of way. Because there are several county roads within the Town of Wilton, Woodcock said his department utilizes its own workforce to accomplish these tasks.
Woodcock and Riper elaborated on the additional value of such a purchase by recognizing the town’s need to be in compliance with state-mandated MS4 regulations, which are a municipality’s separate storm sewer system, a publicly owned conveyance or system of conveyances (including but not limited to, streets, ditches, catch basins, curbs, gutters, and storm drains) designed or used for collecting or conveying storm water and that discharges to surface waters of the State.
Councilman McEachron and Woodcock have a week from the meeting to participate in a decision on whether to purchase the previously used vehicle at a cost-effective price on the auction website. Woodcock described the truck as a “pump truck with vacuum and jet water.” Riper said such a truck “would also be used to keep gas and water lines safer during excavation, and to help clean out existing drain fixtures.”
Town Comptroller Maria Moran stated that the town “has a procurement policy that must be adhered to and that there was a process and documentation required in such a purchase, albeit used, and estimated to be about $20,000. At the time of the meeting, the current bid was stated to be $12,000.
Items approved at the meeting were the reappointments of Elizabeth Harrington and Jeannine Woutersz to the Historic Preservation Board, that of Dean Kolligan to the Town of Wilton Zoning Board, and Ron Slone to the Town of Wilton Planning Board.
During the public comment period, resident Joanne Klepetar expressed a desire for the town to evaluate the need for sidewalks in the hamlet zone and “to reinstate the Town position of Planner, given the growth the town is experiencing.” Other town news: • Karen James was appointed to the part-time Town Historian position at a salary of $3,300 annually.
• The Friends of Wilton Recreation, Inc. will sponsor a new $11,000 public address system at Gavin Park.
• The last Town of Wilton Bicentennial Event will be the Holiday Dinner on December 29, 2018, at the Wilton Elks Club. The Charge for tickets is $20.18 and those wishing to attend can still purchase tickets. For more information on Wilton Town Meetings, visit https://townofwilton. com.